French Bulldog Dental Care: Teeth, Gums and a Daily Routine

Sources: Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual, 2025; O’Neill et al., Journal of Small Animal Practice, 2021; Enlund et al., BMC Veterinary Research, 2020.

Most Frenchie parents think about breathing, backs and skin long before they think about teeth. That makes sense: dental disease is quiet. Dogs hide mouth pain well, and the damage starts below the gumline where you can’t see it. But French Bulldog teeth deserve a place in your routine from the first week home. A flat face packs a full set of teeth into a short jaw, and crowded teeth collect plaque.

This guide explains why Frenchie mouths are different and how common dental problems are. It covers the signs of dental pain, a brushing routine and chews and bones, then shows why a proper cleaning under anesthesia beats an anesthesia-free scrape. We’re honest about where the evidence is thin. For the bigger health picture, see our French Bulldog health problems guide.

Affiliate disclosure: some product links in this guide are Amazon affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, BFB earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend.

Why Flat-Faced Mouths Are Crowded

Dogs have 42 adult teeth, and a French Bulldog’s short jaw has to fit that set into much less space. The result can be crowded teeth and teeth turned sideways, and about 1 in 5 Frenchies in one survey had an underbite. Crowding is a known risk factor for gum disease because overlapping teeth trap plaque and are harder to clean. Badly rotated teeth in flat-faced breeds are often removed.

Puppies have 28 baby teeth, and adult dogs have 42 (Muylle, Merck Veterinary Manual). A long-muzzled breed spreads them along a long jaw; in a Frenchie’s short muzzle they sit closer together, overlap or turn. Not every dog has all 42, but the space problem is real. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s owner guide notes that teeth which are significantly rotated, “as are often found in flat-faced (brachycephalic) breeds,” are usually removed, and that crowding is often solved by taking out one or more teeth (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual).

Why does it matter? Crowded teeth leave tight corners where plaque collects and a toothbrush can’t easily reach. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s professional chapter on gum disease lists tooth crowding as one of the built-in risk factors, along with malocclusion (a bite that doesn’t line up) and being a toy breed (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). A Frenchie isn’t a toy breed, but it’s a small dog with a short, crowded and often misaligned mouth, and in UK records smaller dogs had higher odds of gum disease (O’Neill et al., 2021a). Integrative vet Dr. Katie Kangas, who writes on veterinary dentistry, makes the same point about flat-faced breeds: the same number of teeth in less space means crowded, angled teeth that trap plaque, and small breeds tend to get worse disease, earlier.

• Underbite and tartar. In a 2025 survey of 574 French Bulldogs in Germany, owners reported a vet-diagnosed underbite in 21% and tartar in 19% (Hinze et al., 2025). Owners were recruited online, so treat these as rough figures. Teeth that hit the gums or palate need a vet’s eye.
• Rotated and crowded teeth. Common in flat-faced breeds, and a reason your vet may suggest removing a tooth that can’t be kept clean.
• Retained baby teeth. A baby tooth that stays put next to the adult tooth crowds the mouth further. The AVMA lists retained baby teeth as a reason for a vet check, and Merck advises removing them as soon as they’re noticed. Interestingly, Frenchies had lower odds than other dogs of a retained baby tooth being recorded in UK vet records (O’Neill et al., 2021b), so it isn’t a breed hallmark. It’s still worth checking at 6–7 months.

We couldn’t find a study counting crowded or rotated teeth in French Bulldogs. What we can say: flat faces and crowded teeth go together, crowding raises gum disease risk and a Frenchie’s mouth deserves a closer look at every exam. Our French Bulldog BOAS guide explains how the same short skull affects breathing.

How Common Is Gum Disease in French Bulldogs?

Very common in dogs overall: up to 80% have some gum disease by age 2. In 22,333 UK dogs, flat-faced breeds had 25% higher odds than medium-muzzled breeds, and smaller dogs were at higher risk. Vet records undercount it, because exams under anesthesia find gum disease in roughly half or more of dogs, far more than an awake check shows.

Dogs overall. The Merck Veterinary Manual says up to 80% of dogs have some level of periodontal disease by age 2 (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). The AVMA puts it a little later: by age 3, your pet will very likely have some early evidence of it. Periodontal disease means disease of the tissues that hold the teeth in place: the gums, the ligament and the bone.

Flat-faced and small breeds. In a random sample of 22,333 dogs from UK vet practices, 12.52% had periodontal disease recorded in one year. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds had 1.25 times the odds of medium-muzzled breeds, and the odds dropped steadily as adult body weight went up (O’Neill et al., 2021a). Toy Poodles had almost four times the odds of crossbreds. The French Bulldog’s own result isn’t in the part of the paper we could read, so we don’t quote one.

Why Frenchie records look so low. In a separate UK study comparing 2,781 Frenchies with 21,850 other dogs, periodontal disease was recorded in just 1.6% of Frenchies against 12.8% of other dogs (O’Neill et al., 2021b). Good news? Not quite. The Frenchies had a median age of 1.5 years against nearly 4.5 for the other dogs, and gum disease builds with age. The records also come from awake exams, which miss most of what’s happening below the gumline.

What a vet sees awake vs what’s really there

Share of dogs found to have periodontal disease, by type of exam, across published studies. Clean-looking teeth can still hide disease.

• Awake exam in a general practice, lowest study9.3%
• Awake exam in a general practice, highest study18.2%
• Detailed exam under anesthesia, lowest study44%
• Detailed exam under anesthesia, highest study100%

It starts young in small dogs. In a study of 50 Yorkshire Terriers examined under anesthesia every eight weeks, 48 of 49 dogs (98%) already had early periodontitis in at least one tooth at 37 weeks, about 8.5 months old (Wallis et al., 2019). By 78 weeks, the share of affected teeth had risen from about a quarter to nearly half, though nearly all of it was early-stage. This was one small breed in a research colony, run and funded by Mars Petcare’s WALTHAM center, not Frenchies. Still, small mouths can start gum disease before their first birthday, long before it shows.

From Plaque to Gum Disease: How It Happens

Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that starts forming on teeth again by the next day after cleaning. If it stays on the teeth for more than 2 days, it begins hardening into tartar, which a toothbrush can’t remove. Bacteria under the gumline then inflame the gums and, over time, damage the ligament and bone that hold each tooth in place.

The Merck Veterinary Manual describes the timing plainly: by the next day after a cleaning, a new layer of plaque has begun to form, and plaque left on the tooth for more than 2 days mineralizes into calculus “that cannot be removed by brushing” (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). That one fact explains why the experts push daily brushing. Brushing removes plaque. It doesn’t remove tartar (AAHA, 2019). Once tartar is there, only a professional cleaning takes it off.

The first stage, gingivitis, is inflamed gums with no loss of attachment; Merck’s owner guide notes it’s often first noticed at around age 2. Periodontitis, where the ligament and bone are damaged, usually begins at about 4–6 years (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual). Vets stage it from 1 (gingivitis only) to 4 by how much of the tooth’s attachment has been lost: under 25% at stage 2 and more than 50% at stage 4 (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). The review behind our earlier chart found the incisors, the fourth premolars and the first molars are usually affected first (Wallis & Holcombe, 2020).

Beyond the mouth. Gum disease may matter for the whole body. In a study of 59,296 dogs with periodontal disease and the same number without, more severe gum disease went with higher odds of later heart problems, including endocarditis, an infection of the heart’s inner lining (Glickman et al., 2009). Merck also notes that periodontal disease has been associated with a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). These are associations, not proof that teeth cause heart or kidney disease, but they’re one more reason to take a “small” problem seriously. Dr. Judy Morgan has written about the teeth-and-kidneys link too. Integrative vet Dr. Gary Richter counts regular dental care among his longevity basics, because it heads off the chronic inflammation he ties to faster aging, and Dr. Katie Woodley calls the mouth the gateway to the gut.

Signs of Dental Pain in French Bulldogs

Dogs hide mouth pain, so the signs are often subtle. Watch for bad breath, red or bleeding gums, visible tartar, drooling, dropping food, chewing oddly or on one side, pawing at the mouth and flinching when you touch the face. A swollen face, a broken or discolored tooth or a dog who stops eating needs a vet visit soon.

Merck’s owner guide says it simply: “most dogs mask their pain, making diagnosis difficult” (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual). A Frenchie with a sore tooth will often keep eating, just differently. Merck’s key signs are bad breath, inflamed or bleeding gums and a buildup of plaque and tartar (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual). The AVMA adds broken or loose teeth, retained baby teeth and abnormal chewing, drooling or dropping food. Merck also lists painful teeth your dog won’t let you touch, discolored or broken teeth, facial swelling and a reduced appetite.

Dental pain decoder

What you notice, and what to do. A starting point, not a diagnosis.

• A swollen cheek or a swelling under the eye→Call your vet today
• Won’t eat, or yelps when chewing or when you touch the face→Call your vet today
• A broken or discolored tooth→Book a vet visit soon; don’t wait for the annual exam
• Drooling, dropping food, chewing on one side or pawing at the mouth→Vet visit this week
• A loose tooth in an adult dog, or a baby tooth still in place next to an adult one→Book a dental check
• Red, puffy or bleeding gums→Book a dental check before you start brushing
• Bad breath, or yellow-brown tartar along the gumline→Book a dental check; tartar needs a professional cleaning

Not every smell is the teeth. If it’s coming from the folds or ears, see our French Bulldog skin, folds and ears guide; for gas, our French Bulldog gut health guide can help.

Puppy Teeth and Teething

French Bulldog puppies get their 28 baby teeth at about 3–5 weeks. Baby teeth start falling out at around 14 weeks, adult teeth begin coming in at about 4–5 months, and all 42 adult teeth are in by about 7 months. Start handling your puppy’s mouth the first week home, and ask your vet to check for baby teeth that don’t fall out.

Baby teeth erupt at 3–5 weeks, and permanent teeth start to come in at about 4–5 months, with all of them in place by 7 months (Muylle, Merck Veterinary Manual). Shedding of baby teeth begins at around 14 weeks (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual). Expect the most chewing between about 4 and 7 months.

Start the habit now. The American Veterinary Dental College recommends daily dental home care “from an early age” (AVDC, 2024), and AAHA’s guidelines describe prevention beginning at the first visit (AAHA, 2019). With a puppy, the goal isn’t spotless teeth. It’s a dog who thinks having its lips lifted and its teeth touched is a fun game that ends in a treat. Gentle face, lip and mouth handling also makes vet exams easier, as our French Bulldog training guide explains. Keep brushing gentle while the adult teeth are coming in.

Teething chews. Give size-appropriate chews only when you can watch, and take a chew away once it’s small enough to swallow. Skip cooked bones, bone treats, antlers and hard nylon (more below). Rawhide is best skipped too: in a Finnish study of more than 5,000 dogs, rawhide in puppyhood was linked to more chronic gut disease later, while raw bones and cartilage were linked to less (Vuori et al., 2023). That’s an association, not proof. Our new French Bulldog puppy guide covers teething and puppy-proofing in more detail.

How to Brush Your French Bulldog’s Teeth

Brush every day with a soft dog toothbrush or finger brush and a toothpaste made for dogs. You only need to brush the outside surfaces, the side facing the cheeks and lips. In a controlled trial, daily or every-other-day brushing beat weekly brushing for plaque, tartar and gum inflammation. Introduce it slowly with rewards, and get sore gums checked first.

Why daily? In a randomized, blinded trial, Beagles were brushed daily, every other day, weekly, every other week or not at all for 28 days. More frequent brushing meant less plaque, tartar and gum inflammation, and daily and every-other-day brushing were significantly better than weekly or every-other-week brushing. No dog was injured, and the authors recommend brushing daily (Harvey et al., 2015). Weekly brushing simply leaves plaque time to harden. Dr. Kangas explains it the same way: plaque starts coming back within about 24 hours, so brushing once a week does little. AAHA is blunt: brushing “needs to be done daily to be of benefit” (AAHA, 2019). The AVMA is a bit gentler, saying daily is best but several times a week can be effective.

Outside surfaces are enough. Merck’s owner guide says only the outside surfaces of the teeth need to be brushed or wiped (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual). That’s great news for Frenchie parents. You don’t need to pry open a short, wiggly mouth. Slide the brush under the lip along the cheek side, top and bottom, and pay extra attention to the back teeth and the canines.

Toothpaste: dog only. Merck says toothpastes made for people shouldn’t be used on dogs. Some contain xylitol, a sweetener that’s toxic to dogs (ASPCA): it can drop a dog’s blood sugar within 10–60 minutes of being swallowed (FDA, 2025). Dr. Judy Morgan also warns against human toothpaste and baking soda. For a toothpaste with evidence behind it, the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC) lists several with its Seal for plaque or tartar. Keep human toothpaste, sugar-free gum and mints out of reach; our French Bulldog emergencies and toxins guide covers what to do if your dog eats them.

Brushes. A finger brush is an easy start for puppies. For adults, a small soft-bristle brush with a flat head works well; VOHC lists an “ADA-compliant soft-bristle, flat-head toothbrush” among its accepted products. If your Frenchie won’t accept a brush yet, wipe the outside surfaces with gauze or a VOHC-accepted dental wipe at least every 2–3 days while you keep training (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual).

Check first if the gums look sore. AAHA warns that brushing teeth when the gums are already inflamed causes pain and can make a dog hate brushing (AAHA, 2019). If your adult Frenchie’s gums are red, bleeding or covered in tartar, book a vet check before you start. A cleaning first, then brushing, sets you both up to succeed.

These steps are our practical, reward-based approach, not a tested protocol.

You’ll be in rare company. In a Swedish survey, fewer than 4% of dog owners brushed daily and about half never brushed. Only 43% said a clinic had ever recommended brushing, yet about two in three said they could consider daily brushing (Enlund et al., 2020). If you brush every day, you’re giving your Frenchie an advantage most dogs don’t get. Even so, AAHA notes that daily brushing doesn’t remove the need for exams under anesthesia and dental X-rays when your vet recommends them (AAHA, 2019).

Dental Chews, Water Additives and the VOHC Seal

Some dental chews have controlled-trial evidence and carry the Seal of the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC), which means the maker showed trial data that the product reduces plaque, tartar or both. Ingredients vary a lot, so choose a VOHC-accepted chew whose ingredients you’re comfortable with, size it for your dog, count it as a treat and always supervise.

What the VOHC Seal means. The VOHC is a council of nine veterinary dentists and dental scientists. It doesn’t test products itself; it reviews trial data that companies submit against its standards (VOHC). More than 40 edible chews hold its Seal for plaque, tartar or both, alongside accepted dental diets, water additives, wipes, toothpastes and a toothbrush. VOHC’s own safety tips: pick the right size for your dog’s weight, and give chews only when you can watch.

The evidence for chews. In a 21-month study, dogs given a daily dental hygiene chew kept significantly less bad breath, tartar and plaque than dogs without it, with no adverse reactions. The difference in gum inflammation was no longer significant by the end (Gorrel & Bierer, 1999). An older survey of 1,350 North American dogs found that dogs with more types of things to chew, such as rawhides, bones, biscuits and chew toys, had less tartar, gum inflammation and bone loss (Harvey et al., 1996).

The ingredient question. Efficacy and ingredients are two separate questions. Integrative vets including Dr. Peter Dobias and Dr. Judy Morgan are critical of the starches, preservatives and dyes in many commercial dental chews, and Dr. Morgan argues starchy foods and treats feed plaque. That’s their view rather than a tested finding, but it’s a fair reason to read the label. Dr. Kangas adds that most chews don’t clean very well, one more reason the toothbrush comes first. Our approach: start from the VOHC list, then pick a chew with a short, recognizable ingredient list. Count chews as treats, since they add calories, and keep your Frenchie lean; see our French Bulldog weight guide.

Water additives and wipes. VOHC accepts a number of water additives, mostly for plaque and a few for tartar. They work alongside brushing, not instead of it.

A flat-faced caution. Langford Vets, a university-linked referral hospital in Bristol, advises no chews or treats for dogs with BOAS (Langford Vets). We found no study of choking risk with chews in flat-faced dogs, but if your Frenchie has noisy breathing, regurgitates or gulps food, ask your vet whether chews suit your dog.

Home dental care options, graded by the evidence

Our reading of the research in this guide. None of these studies included French Bulldogs.

Option	What the evidence shows	Grade
Daily brushing	Best results in a randomized Beagle trial; AAHA and Merck recommend it	Strongest
Gauze or VOHC wipes	Merck’s fallback for dogs who won’t accept a brush, at least every 2–3 days	Fallback
VOHC-accepted chews	Trial data reviewed by VOHC; a 21-month trial showed less plaque, tartar and bad breath	Good add-on
VOHC water additives	Accepted mostly for plaque claims	Add-on
VOHC dental diets	Specific, specially designed foods only; ordinary kibble showed little benefit	Specific products
Raw meaty bones	Fast tartar removal in two small lab Beagle studies; hard bones can break teeth	Promising, with risks
Anesthesia-free scraping	Cosmetic only; not effective prevention according to AVDC and AAHA	Not recommended

Raw Meaty Bones and Diet: Benefits, Risks and How We Do It

Raw meaty bones are part of the BARF approach to feeding, and two small studies in lab Beagles found that chewing beef bones stripped tartar fast. No study has tested bones in Frenchies, and hard bones can crack teeth. If you feed them, choose softer, size-appropriate raw bones, always supervise, never feed cooked bones and skip weight-bearing beef bones, antlers and hooves.

Where raw bones fit. BARF stands for Biologically Appropriate Raw Food, the approach Dr. Ian Billinghurst laid out in his 1993 book Give Your Dog a Bone. It’s built on muscle meat, organ meat and raw meaty bones, with smaller amounts of vegetables, fruit and other whole foods. Raw-feeding vets such as Dr. Dobias and Dr. Morgan recommend raw meaty bones for mechanical cleaning of the teeth. We feed this way ourselves. Raw is best, not required, and fresh food toppers are an easy first step for any Frenchie. See our raw feeding guide for the full picture.

Why the canine mouth suits raw food, and how to handle it. Dogs have scissor-like back teeth made for meat, a strongly acidic stomach and a short, simple gut, and they have no set need for dietary carbs (Kook et al., 2014; Deschamps et al., 2022; Kayser et al., 2024). That’s why we favor fresh, meat-based food, with complete and balanced raw as our first choice for healthy dogs in suitable homes. Raw bones aren’t risk-free, though. Like any raw meat they can carry germs, so handle them the way you’d handle raw meat for your family: thaw in the fridge, wash your hands, the bowl and the counter afterward and take the bone away once the session is over. If your home includes a baby or young child, an older adult, someone pregnant or anyone with a weak immune system, or your Frenchie is a young puppy or has a weak immune system (for example during chemotherapy or on immune-suppressing drugs), talk with your vet first (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and consider HPP-treated raw or gently cooked food instead. Our raw safety checklist has the details.

What the studies found. In a small study of 8 adult lab Beagles given raw beef bone daily, the share of tooth surface covered in tartar fell by about 70–82% within 12 days, depending on the type of bone (Marx et al., 2016). An independent appraisal judged the study at serious risk of bias because of its tiny size and design (van Veggel & Oxley, 2018). A second study of 12 Beagles, using beef bones that may have been autoclaved, found no broken teeth or gut blockages over about two weeks, and tartar was largely removed within days, but dogs given spongy bone had some gum injuries and bone fragments stuck between teeth (Pinto et al., 2020). Neither study included puppies, Frenchies or flat-faced jaws.

Tartar coverage before and after 12 days of raw bone chewing

Share of tooth surface covered in tartar, 8 lab Beagles. Promising, but tiny and not a Frenchie study.

• Day 0, dense (cortical) bone group42%
• Day 12, dense (cortical) bone group12.3%
• Day 0, spongy (epiphyseal) bone group38.6%
• Day 12, spongy (epiphyseal) bone group7.1%

The risks are real. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s professional chapter says hard items such as bones and hooves “can crack teeth and should be avoided” (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual), and its owner guide lists real bones, hooves, antlers, hard nylon toys and rocks among causes of broken teeth (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual). AAHA notes that many broken teeth can be prevented by choosing chews and toys carefully (AAHA, 2019). The FDA has received reports of choking, vomiting, blockages and deaths linked to processed bone treats, 68 reports covering 90 dogs including 15 deaths, and warns against leftover cooked bones (FDA, 2017). The ASPCA lists raw bones as a hazard, too.

Does kibble clean teeth?

Not ordinary kibble. In the survey of 1,350 North American dogs, those eating only dry food showed few differences in dental health from dogs on other diets, while dogs with more to chew had less tartar (Harvey et al., 1996). Dr. Judy Morgan cites the same study and argues that dry food doesn’t keep teeth clean. That fits our wider view that kibble isn’t ideal for the canine species. To be fair, VOHC has accepted a few specially engineered dental kibbles. And honestly, we couldn’t find a study showing raw-fed dogs have less gum disease overall. Diet supports a healthy mouth; it doesn’t replace brushing. For food choices, see our best food for French Bulldogs guide.

Anesthesia-Free Dental Cleanings: Why We Don’t Recommend Them

Anesthesia-free dental cleanings scrape tartar off the visible part of the teeth while the dog is awake. They make teeth look cleaner but can’t reach below the gumline, where gum disease does its damage, and they can’t include X-rays. The American Veterinary Dental College says they are not an effective form of prevention, and AAHA calls them not appropriate.

The appeal is easy to see if you’re worried about anesthesia. But the major veterinary bodies agree:

• American Veterinary Dental College. Its 2024 position statement says anesthesia-free scaling “is not an effective form of prevention of dental disease” and isn’t a replacement for a full procedure under anesthesia. Reaching under the gumline of every tooth is impossible in an awake patient, and sedatives given by a non-veterinarian are dangerous and illegal (AVDC, 2024).
• American Animal Hospital Association. AAHA’s 2019 guidelines call anesthesia-free dentistry “not appropriate because of patient stress, injury, risk of aspiration” and the lack of diagnostic tools. Removing tartar above the gumline alone “is purely cosmetic and ineffective to treat disease,” and it gives owners “a false sense of benefit.” AAHA also notes peer-reviewed data on the procedure are “very limited” (AAHA, 2019).
• US veterinary anesthesiologists. In a 2013 open letter, the board of the American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia supported AAHA’s standard that all dental cleanings be done under general anesthesia with a breathing tube in place (ACVAA, 2013).
• The Merck Veterinary Manual. Cleaning an awake animal improves how the crowns look but “does not improve periodontal health” (Mulherin, Merck Veterinary Manual).

For a flat-faced dog, there’s an extra point. During a proper cleaning, the breathing tube protects the airway. Without anesthesia and a tube, AAHA notes, the airway can’t be protected from aspiration (breathing in fluid or debris). A Frenchie with a narrow airway is the last dog you want inhaling scaling debris.

Two kinds of “cleaning,” side by side

They can look the same from the outside. Below the gumline, they’re very different.

Cleaning under anesthesia

• A breathing tube protects the airway
• Cleans above and below the gumline
• Full-mouth dental X-rays show roots and bone
• Every tooth can be probed and charted
• Problems can be treated in the same visit

Anesthesia-free scaling

• Only the visible crowns are cleaned
• No access below the gumline of every tooth
• No X-rays, so hidden disease is missed
• Airway not protected from aspiration
• Stressful for many dogs; a false sense of security

Professional Cleanings Under Anesthesia: Making Them Safer for Frenchies

A proper dental cleaning is done under general anesthesia with a breathing tube, includes cleaning below the gumline and usually full-mouth X-rays. Flat-faced dogs have more anesthetic complications, mostly during recovery, so choose a vet experienced with brachycephalic breeds, get a pre-anesthetic exam and make sure your Frenchie is watched closely until fully awake.

What the extra risk looks like. In an Ohio State University study of 223 flat-faced dogs and 223 matched dogs of other breeds, complication rates during anesthesia were almost the same. The gap opened in recovery: 13.9% of flat-faced dogs had a complication afterward, against 3.6% of other dogs, and nine flat-faced dogs developed aspiration pneumonia, against none of the others (Gruenheid et al., 2018). Our anesthesia safety guide charts the full results.

Those numbers are a reason to plan, not to skip care. AAHA’s guidelines say anesthesia risk is very low in healthy patients when trained staff do it, that brachycephalic breeds and their airways “warrant particularly close attention,” and that every anesthetized patient should have a breathing tube (AAHA, 2019). AAHA also notes that fear of anesthesia is the most common reason owners skip proper dental care. Leaving painful, infected teeth in place has costs of its own.

Safety steps to ask about

• Tell the clinic your Frenchie is brachycephalic. Ask how they adjust their plan for flat-faced dogs, and mention any noisy breathing, regurgitation or past airway surgery.
• A hands-on exam and bloodwork first. Dr. Morgan calls pre-op lab work critical. Dr. Karen Becker, writing about flat-faced pets, says to make sure your dog has been cleared for anesthesia before you agree to any procedure that needs it.
• A breathing tube and full monitoring. AAHA says every anesthetized patient should be intubated. Ask about monitoring of oxygen, carbon dioxide, blood pressure, heart rhythm and temperature.
• Oxygen before induction. A specialist review from Australia calls pre-oxygenation essential in flat-faced dogs, because placing the breathing tube can be difficult (Fawcett et al., 2019).
• Tube out only when fully awake. The same review says the tube is usually left in until the dog is fully awake and won’t tolerate it, and that dogs shouldn’t be left unattended for the first 12 hours after it comes out (Fawcett et al., 2019). Dr. Morgan describes removing the tube once the pet is sitting up and able to swallow.
• Full-mouth X-rays and probing. Much of the disease sits below the gumline, where only X-rays can show it. Dr. Kangas also looks for a clinic that probes every tooth and keeps the patient warm.
• A specialist for higher-risk dogs. AAHA notes vets can involve a board-certified veterinary dentist or anesthesiologist for higher-risk pets.
• A close watch at home. Hemopet, Dr. Jean Dodds’s organization, notes that flat-faced dogs’ complications cluster after anesthesia and that post-anesthetic care needs close observation. Keep your Frenchie cool, quiet and close that first night. If breathing looks hard or the gums look pale or blue, call your vet or an emergency clinic now. Call your vet too if your dog vomits or regurgitates.

Our sister guide, Anesthesia Safety for French Bulldogs, covers fasting, reflux, monitoring and a full list of questions to ask your clinic. Our BOAS guide explains airway grading, which helps your vet plan.

Integrative support around the procedure. Integrative vets such as Dr. Kangas add supportive care around dental surgery, including acupuncture, laser therapy and herbs, and she has described using the Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) formula Yunnan Baiyao before procedures where bleeding is expected. These are add-ons your vet chooses and prescribes, not a swap for anesthesia, X-rays or pain medication, and the evidence for them comes mostly from clinical experience.

How often? There’s no fixed schedule. The AAHA guidance we read ties cleanings to each dog’s exam and life stage, not a set interval. Dr. Morgan’s view is that many pets need a cleaning under anesthesia about once a year and some more often. Ask for a mouth check at every annual exam; your vet will recommend a cleaning when the exam shows it’s needed. Daily brushing is how you stretch the time between them.

What dental care costs

We couldn’t find a reliable, current US price for a French Bulldog dental cleaning, so we won’t guess at one. The ASPCA’s 2021 cost estimate for an average dog listed $500 for dental care as a “special cost” (ASPCA, 2021). A Frenchie’s bill can run higher with extra pre-anesthetic checks, X-rays or extractions, so ask for an itemized estimate. Next to that, a toothbrush and dog toothpaste are a bargain.

Insurance. Pet insurance plans differ a lot on teeth. Some cover dental illness and extractions, some exclude dental illness and some sell it as an add-on. Routine cleanings are a separate question, so check the policy wording. Dr. Kangas has written that dental coverage helps owners say yes to cleanings when they’re needed. Our French Bulldog insurance guide compares plans, including dental coverage.

A Lifetime Dental Routine for Your Frenchie

Handle your puppy’s mouth from the first week, check for retained baby teeth at around 6–7 months and brush the outside surfaces every day for life. Add a VOHC-accepted chew or a supervised raw bone if it suits your dog, look in the mouth weekly and have your vet check the teeth at every exam, with cleanings under anesthesia when needed.

Gum inflammation is often first noticed at about age 2, and deeper disease usually begins at around 4–6 years (Reiter, Merck Veterinary Manual), but small dogs can start much earlier (Wallis et al., 2019). The timeline below puts the milestones together.

A French Bulldog’s dental timeline

Years of age. Daily brushing runs the whole length; the other bars show when typical problems tend to appear.

012345678910 yrs

Home careDaily brushing, for life

Typical problemsTeethingGingivitis noticedPeriodontitis often begins

Vet careMouth check at every exam; cleaning under anesthesia when needed

Daily brushing and vet mouth checks, for lifeTeething, first yearGingivitis often noticed from about 2 yearsPeriodontitis usually begins at 4–6 years

3–5 wks28 baby teeth come in

14 wksbaby teeth start falling out

4–7 moadult teeth arrive; all 42 by about 7 months. Check for retained baby teeth

8.5 mo98% of Yorkshire Terriers in one small study already had early gum disease in a tooth

2 yrsgingivitis often first noticed; up to 80% of dogs have some gum disease

4–6 yrsperiodontitis usually begins; X-rays at cleanings matter most

• Every day: brush the outside surfaces with a dog toothpaste, or wipe with gauze or a VOHC wipe on the days you can’t. Reward every session.
• Most weeks: a VOHC-accepted chew or a supervised, size-appropriate raw meaty bone (Dr. Dobias suggests about twice a week), if it suits your dog and your vet agrees.
• Every week: lift the lips and look for red gums, new tartar, a broken or discolored tooth, a bad smell or a swelling.
• Every vet visit: ask for a mouth check and mention any change in chewing or breath.
• When the exam shows it: a cleaning under anesthesia with X-rays, planned around your Frenchie’s airway.
• As your Frenchie ages: keep going. Senior dogs need their teeth checked just as closely; see our sister guide on Senior French Bulldog Care.

Teeth are part of the bigger longevity picture. Lean dogs live longer, and a comfortable mouth helps your Frenchie eat well at every age. Our French Bulldog lifespan guide pulls the whole plan together.

Where the Experts Disagree

Vets broadly agree on daily brushing, cleanings under anesthesia with X-rays and avoiding anesthesia-free scraping. They differ on raw meaty bones, on commercial dental chews, on whether diet type affects teeth, on how to weigh anesthesia risk in a flat-faced dog and on how often professional cleanings are needed.

• Raw meaty bonesDr. Dobias, Dr. Morgan, Dr. Billinghurst and Dr. Kangas support raw meaty bones (Dr. Kangas specifies non-weight-bearing ones), and two small lab Beagle studies showed fast tartar removal (Marx et al., 2016; Pinto et al., 2020). Merck says hard items like bones can crack teeth and should be avoided, and Langford Vets advises no chews for dogs with BOAS. Our take: softer, size-appropriate raw bones, always supervised, never cooked, never weight-bearing beef bones or antlers.
• Commercial dental chewsVOHC has accepted more than 40 chews based on trial data, and a 21-month trial showed less plaque, tartar and bad breath (Gorrel & Bierer, 1999). Dr. Dobias and Dr. Morgan criticize the starches, preservatives and dyes in many of them. Rawhide looked protective for tartar in a 1996 survey (Harvey et al., 1996) but was linked to more chronic gut disease when fed to puppies (Vuori et al., 2023). Our take: efficacy and ingredients are separate questions. Choose a VOHC-accepted chew with ingredients you’re happy with, skip rawhide and count the calories.
• Does diet clean teeth?Dr. Morgan says dry food doesn’t, and in 1,350 dogs, dry-only diets showed few differences from other diets (Harvey et al., 1996). VOHC accepts a few specially engineered dental kibbles. We found no study showing raw-fed dogs have less gum disease overall. Our take: ordinary kibble isn’t a toothbrush, raw meaty bones may help and brushing is still the main event.
• Anesthesia in a flat-faced dogFlat-faced dogs had more complications, especially in recovery (Gruenheid et al., 2018), and Dr. Becker and Hemopet stress clearance and monitoring. AAHA, AVDC, Dr. Morgan and Dr. Kangas say only a cleaning under anesthesia treats disease below the gumline. Our take: brush daily to need fewer procedures, and choose a vet experienced with flat-faced airways. Not anesthesia-free.
• How often to clean professionallyDr. Morgan says many pets need a cleaning about yearly, some more often. The AAHA guidance we read ties it to each dog’s exam rather than a fixed interval. Our take: let the yearly exam decide.

Frequently Asked Questions About French Bulldog Dental Care

Sources

Dental and health research

1. Mulherin BL. Periodontal Disease in Small Animals. Merck Veterinary Manual (professional version). Full review February 2024, updated April 2025.
2. Reiter AM. Dental Disorders of Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version). Full review May 2018, updated October 2025.
3. Muylle S. Dental Development of Dogs. Merck Veterinary Manual (pet owner version). Updated June 2025. merckvetmanual.com.
4. O’Neill DG, Mitchell CE, Humphrey J, et al. Epidemiology of periodontal disease in dogs in the UK primary-care veterinary setting. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2021;62(12):1051–1061. (Cited as O’Neill et al., 2021a.) doi:10.1111/jsap.13405
5. O’Neill DG, Packer RMA, Francis P, et al. French Bulldogs differ to other dogs in the UK in propensity for many common disorders: a VetCompass study. Canine Medicine and Genetics. 2021;8(1):13. (Cited as O’Neill et al., 2021b.) doi:10.1186/s40575-021-00112-3
6. Wallis C, Holcombe LJ. A review of the frequency and impact of periodontal disease in dogs. Journal of Small Animal Practice. 2020;61(9):529–540. Funded by Mars Petcare. doi:10.1111/jsap.13218
7. Wallis C, Pesci I, Colyer A, et al. A longitudinal assessment of periodontal disease in Yorkshire terriers. BMC Veterinary Research. 2019;15:207. Run and funded by the WALTHAM Centre (Mars Petcare). doi:10.1186/s12917-019-1923-8
8. Hinze MAG, Meyer KOH, Heilmann RM, et al. Health status and disease prevalences in French bulldogs in Germany: insights from a survey-based study. Companion Animal Health and Genetics. 2025;12:9. doi:10.1186/s40575-025-00149-8
9. Glickman LT, Glickman NW, Moore GE, et al. Evaluation of the risk of endocarditis and other cardiovascular events on the basis of the severity of periodontal disease in dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2009;234(4):486–494. doi:10.2460/javma.234.4.486
10. Harvey C, Serfilippi L, Barnvos D. Effect of frequency of brushing teeth on plaque and calculus accumulation, and gingivitis in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 2015;32(1):16–21. doi:10.1177/089875641503200102
11. Enlund KB, Brunius C, Hanson J, et al. Dental home care in dogs: a questionnaire study among Swedish dog owners, veterinarians and veterinary nurses. BMC Veterinary Research. 2020;16:90. doi:10.1186/s12917-020-02281-y
12. Gorrel C, Bierer TL. Long term effects of a dental hygiene chew on the periodontal health of dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 1999;16:109–113. doi:10.1177/089875649901600302
13. Harvey CE, Shofer FS, Laster L. Correlation of diet, other chewing activities and periodontal disease in North American client-owned dogs. Journal of Veterinary Dentistry. 1996;13:101–105. doi:10.1177/089875649601300304
14. Marx FR, et al. Raw beef bones as chewing items to reduce dental calculus in Beagle dogs. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2016;94(1–2):18–23.
15. van Veggel N, Oxley J. In dogs does feeding raw dietary treats reduce or prevent periodontal disease? Veterinary Evidence. 2018;3(3). doi:10.18849/VE.V3I3.153
16. Pinto CFD, Lehr W, Pignone VN, et al. Evaluation of teeth injuries in Beagle dogs caused by autoclaved beef bones used as a chewing item to remove dental calculus. PLOS ONE. 2020;15(2):e0228146. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0228146
17. Vuori KA, Hemida M, Moore R, et al. The effect of puppyhood and adolescent diet on the incidence of chronic enteropathy in dogs later in life. Scientific Reports. 2023;13:1830. doi:10.1038/s41598-023-27866-z
18. Gruenheid M, Aarnes TK, McLoughlin MA, et al. Risk of anesthesia-related complications in brachycephalic dogs. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 2018;253(3):301–306. doi:10.2460/javma.253.3.301
19. Kook PH, Kempf J, Ruetten M, Reusch CE. Wireless ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring in dogs with clinical signs interpreted as gastroesophageal reflux. Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine. 2014;28(6):1716–1723. doi:10.1111/jvim.12461
20. Deschamps C, Humbert D, Zentek J, et al. From Chihuahua to Saint-Bernard: how did digestion and microbiota evolve with dog sizes. International Journal of Biological Sciences. 2022;18(13):5086–5102. doi:10.7150/ijbs.72770
21. Kayser E, Finet SE, de Godoy MRC. The role of carbohydrates in canine and feline nutrition. Animal Frontiers. 2024;14(3):28–37. doi:10.1093/af/vfae017
22. Fawcett A, Barrs V, Awad M, et al. Consequences and management of canine brachycephaly in veterinary practice: perspectives from Australian veterinarians and veterinary specialists. Animals. 2019;9(1):3. doi:10.3390/ani9010003

Guidelines, position statements and organizations

1. American Animal Hospital Association. 2019 AAHA Dental Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats: Recommending home oral hygiene and products; Nonanesthetic dentistry; General anesthesia. 2019. (Cited as AAHA, 2019.)
2. American Veterinary Dental College. Position Statement on Anesthesia-Free Dentistry (AFD). Adopted April 2024. (Cited as AVDC, 2024.)
3. American College of Veterinary Anesthesia and Analgesia, Board of Directors. Open letter to AAHA supporting general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation for dental cleanings. December 10, 2013. acvaa.org. (Cited as ACVAA, 2013.)
4. American Veterinary Medical Association. Pet Dental Care.
5. Veterinary Oral Health Council. VOHC Accepted Products for Dogs and About the VOHC Seal. Viewed October 2026. (Cited as VOHC.)
6. ASPCA. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets.
7. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Paws Off Xylitol; It’s Dangerous for Dogs. Updated December 2025. (Cited as FDA, 2025.)
8. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Consumer warning on processed bone treats and cooked bones for dogs, November 2017. (Cited as FDA, 2017.)
9. ASPCA. Cutting Pet Care Costs. 2021 update. (Cited as ASPCA, 2021.)
10. Langford Vets (University of Bristol). BOAS Management (owner information). Published September 9, 2024, modified October 21, 2024; checked October 2026. (Cited as Langford Vets.)
11. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pet Food Safety (page last reviewed January 30, 2025).

Veterinarians cited

1. Dr. Judy Morgan. Dental Disease in Pets: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention, February 10, 2022. Kick Kibble to the Curb “Revisited”: Dental Myths, August 24, 2022. What Do Teeth and Kidneys Have in Common?, December 16, 2016.
2. Dr. Peter Dobias (he sells his own supplement line). The Right Raw Bones Can Save Your Dog’s Teeth and Thousands in Dental Care, undated (viewed October 2026).
3. Dr. Karen Shaw Becker. The Race Against Time to Save ‘Flat-Faced’ Pets, Bark & Whiskers, March 15, 2023 (modified August 15, 2024).
4. Dr. Jean Dodds, Hemopet. Breeding Brachycephalic Dogs and Cats, Part 1, March 11, 2022 (modified March 22, 2025). Article carries the Hemopet byline.
5. Dr. Katie Kangas (makes Dr. Katie’s Remedies). Non-Anesthetic Dental Cleanings: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly, Challenging Pet Health podcast (transcript), July 22, 2026; Integrative applications in veterinary dentistry, IVC Journal, May 11, 2019; Improve Your Pet’s Oral Health, Integrative Veterinary Care blog, July 5, 2024.
6. Dr. Gary Richter. Helping Animals Live Longer: Targeting the Hallmarks of Aging. Today’s Veterinary Practice, January/February 2025.
7. Dr. Katie Woodley. Improve Your Pet’s Gut Health: The Role of Natural Dental Care. The Natural Pet Doctor blog, April 29, 2024.
8. Dr. Ian Billinghurst. Interview, The Father of the Raw Dog Food Diet, DJANGO, 2022. Give Your Dog a Bone; 1993.

Veterinarians are cited for their published work; their inclusion doesn’t mean they’ve reviewed or endorsed BestFrenchBulldog.com. This guide is educational and doesn’t replace your vet. If your Frenchie has a swollen face, stops eating or has trouble breathing after any procedure, call your vet or an emergency clinic now.